Tafsir al-Qasimi Mahasin al-Tawil

Mahasin al-Ta'wil (The Beauties of Interpretation), also known as Tafsir al-Qasimi, is a seventeen-volume Sunni exegesis of the Quran authored by the Damascene scholar Jamal al-Din al-Qasimi (1283–1332 AH / 1866–1914 CE) Taaqibat Jamal al-Din al-…+1.

Composition and Structure

Al-Qasimi commenced writing the work in 1317 AH and completed it in 1329 AH al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1. In his original manuscript, he penned the Quranic verses in red ink and the commentary in black ink using Persian calligraphy Majallat al-Buhuth al-Isl….

The work comprises seventeen volumes Taaqibat Jamal al-Din al-…+1. The author devoted the entirety of the first volume to an extensive introduction setting out fundamental hermeneutical principles and topics in Quranic sciences, including occasions of revelation (asbab al-nuzul), abrogation (al-nasikh wa-l-mansukh), non-canonical readings (al-qira'at al-shadhdhah), the seven modes (al-ahruf al-sab'ah), prophetic narratives, the theological stance of the early generations (al-salaf) regarding verses on divine attributes, and the nobility of the science of exegesis Lamahat fi al-Maktaba wa …+1.

Methodology and Sources

Mahasin al-Ta'wil follows an analytical method (tafsir tahlili), addressing lexical definitions, syntax, rhetorical features, legal rulings, and theology without relying on fabricated accounts or blameworthy biblical borrowings (isra'iliyyat) Taaqibat Jamal al-Din al-…+1. Al-Qasimi interprets the Quran first through other Quranic verses, then through authentic prophetic traditions, and subsequently through the reports of the Prophet's Companions and early generations Manahij al-Mufassirin.

The work is characterized by voluminous quotations and compilations from a broad spectrum of authorities al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1. His classical sources include Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, Ibn Hazm, al-Raghib al-Isfahani, al-Zamakhshari, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, al-Qurtubi, al-'Izz ibn 'Abd al-Salam, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Kathir, al-Shatibi, and al-Biqa'i Taaqibat Jamal al-Din al-…. For his introduction and commentary, he also drew upon modern scholars, notably Muhammad 'Abduh and Muhammad Rashid Rida Manahij al-Mufassirin. While adhering to the creed of the early generations regarding theological matters, he maintained independence from legal partisanship (taqlid) when treating verses concerning legal rulings al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru….

Reception and Critique

Commentators praised Mahasin al-Ta'wil for its encyclopedic breadth, meticulous citation, and avoidance of sectarian bias and folklore Manahij al-Mufassirin+1. Conversely, critics noted that verbatim quotations from other authors constitute half or more of the commentary, occasionally overshadowing his own voice with lengthy excerpts and digressions not strictly pertinent to the verse under discussion al-Tafsir wa al-Mufassiru…+1.

Publication History

The first edition of the work was published in Cairo by Dar Ihya' al-Kutub al-'Arabiyyah between 1376 and 1377 AH (1957 CE) in seventeen volumes totaling 6,316 pages excluding the introductory first volume, verified and annotated by Muhammad Fu'ad 'Abd al-Baqi Taaqibat Jamal al-Din al-…+1. A second facsimile edition was published in Beirut by Dar al-Fikr in 1398 AH Taaqibat Jamal al-Din al-…+1.